Proposing a Process-Based Approach to Technology Planning at Supra-Corporation Level

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 University of Tehran

2 Shaif University of Technology

3 University of tehran

Abstract

Competitive challenges have made it a critical need for industries to identify and choose enabling future technologies. Furthermore, the importance of defining direction for industry and the necessity of prioritizing technological investments in different subsectors demonstrate the significance of technology planning at industry level. Reviewing the literature of technology planning at industry level shows that the methodologies employed in most studies are either extended methods of technology planning at firm level or are resulted from a change in the frameworks of technology policy at national level. In this paper, by adopting a qualitative approach and grounded theory method and using semi-structured interviews with 40 academic and industrial experts in the field of oil & gas, auto-making and aerospace, we present a three-level model for technology planning at industry level. At the reference level of the model, the main guidelines of technology development are chosen, and at the portfolio level, technology areas portfolios that best meet the main requirements of the system are defined. At the option level of the model, the technology options that have the potential to reach the desired functional goals are selected. At the end and after an analysis of the extended model, recommendations for further research are presented.

Keywords


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